Assembly machine

ABSTRACT

A machine for assembling elements into a continuous chain has a carrier rotatable about a horizontal axis, the carrier having a nest wheel with an endless array of peripheral pockets to receive chain elements fed thereto through chutes. The carrier, which rotates continuously during assembling operations, has an alignment rod drum on one side of the nest wheel and a drive ram drum on the other side of the nest wheel. The nest wheel carries an endless circular array of back-up rams, on pitch axes of the chain, which are actuated by two independent stationary cams as the nest wheel rotates. The alignment rod drum carries an endless circular array of alignment members on the pitch axes of the chain. The alignment members, which are actuated by one of said stationary cams, have rams carrying spring urged rods. The rods are slidably inserted through the back-up rams for sequential projection into the chain elements received in the pockets of the nest wheel for alignment of the elements. The drive ram drum carries an endless circular array of pressure members, on the pitch axes of the chain, which are actuated by a stationary cam. The pressure members have rams carrying rivet rods to force the chain rivets into elements of the chain including one of the side bar links thereof. The other side bar link of the chain is forced on the rivet by the backup ram while the pressure member holds the rivet.

United States Patent [191 Brown et al.

[ ASSEMBLY MACHINE [75] Inventors: William R. Brown, Blairsville;

William V. Gonda, Homer City, both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: FMC Corporation, San Jose, Calif.

[22] Filed: Mar. 20, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 235,960

1,884,443 10/1932 Wertman 59/7 2,831,316 4/1958 Linde 59/7 3,054,167 9/1962 Bryner 29/203 S 3,137,929 6/1964 Lyon 29/203 S FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 120,120 1959 U.S.S.R 59/4 Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-Gene P. Crosby Attorney, Agent, or Firm-J. F. Verhoev'en; C. E. Trippi Apr. 9, 1974 [5 7 ABSTRACT A machine for assembling elements into a continuous chain has a carrier rotatable about a horizontal axis, the carrier having a nest wheel with an endless array of peripheral pockets to receive chain elements fed thereto through chutes. The carrier, which rotates continuously during assembling operations, has an alignment rod drum on one side of the nest wheel and a drive ram drum on the other side of the nest wheel. The nest wheel carries an endless circular array of back-up rams, on pitch axes of the chain, which are actuated by two independent stationary cams as the nest wheel rotates. The alignment rod drum carries an endless circular array of alignment members on the pitch axes of the chain. The alignment members, which are actuated by one of said stationary cams, have rams carrying spring urged rods. The rods are slidably inserted through the back-up rams for sequential projection into the chain elements received in the pockets of the nest wheel for alignment of the elements. The drive ram drum carries an endless circular array of pressure members, on the pitch axes of the chain, which are actuated by a stationary cam. The pressure members have rams carrying rivet rods to force the chain rivets into elements of the chain including one of the side bar links thereof. The other rivet.

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' sum usnr11 ASSEMBLY MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION member receives other elements to be assembled, such as, for example, the pins, or rivets, of the chain. The movable member is moved intermittently to bring each link opening up to a pin which is to be received into the opening. After the movable member has stopped with the link in proper position to receive the pin, a plunger behind the pin is extended to force the members into assembled relation. Thereafter, the movable link supporting member is indexed to bring another link into position to receive a pin. Often, two or more pins are inserted simultaneously into a link, or links.

Speed of assembly is vitally important in the manufacture of assembled chain since the cost of the relatively complex machinery for assembling the chain is quite high, and any increased production which can be obtained from a machine has the effect of reducing the machinery cost for a given length of chain. The speed of the conventional, prior art chain assembly machines is essentially limited by the necessity of moving the links intermittently to the pins, and stopping the links at the pins for assembly. Frequently, it is necessary or desirable to lock or clamp the movable member, after it has stopped, relative to the stationary member to assure proper alignment of the chain elements prior to assembly. It can be appreciated that the locking and unlocking of the two members, which must take place when the movable member is stopped, increases the time the movable member is stopped to further limit the rate of assembly of the chain.

Another problem with the intermittent motion type of chain assembly machine is the high level of noise generated by the operation thereof. Each abrupt start and stop of the movable member, and each clamping and unclamping of the members, contributes to the severity of the din produced by the operation of the machine.

Continuous rotating assembling machines have been produced for simple assembly operations, such as capping resistors as shown in US. Pat. No. 3,054,167. The machine of the present invention, however, is capable of aligning and assembling elements of a chain or like product which requires precise alignment before assembly and requires significant force to press the elements thereof into assem bled relation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The assembly machine of the present invention does not move one or more elements relative to other elements by an intermittent motion for assembly of the elements but, instead, moves all the elements to be assembled continuously on an endless member. Moreover, the actuating members, which straddle the elements to be assembled and press them into assembled relation, also move continuously and in unison with the members to be assembled.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a generally cylindrical carrier, continuously rotating about a horizontal axis during operation, has a nest wheel with an endless array of peripheral pockets which receive the elements of, for example, a chain from a chute or chutes at an entry point, as the pockets pass continuously under the chutes. On one side of the peripheral pockets, an endless circular array of back-up rams, or pressure members, (one for each pitch axis of the chain) is slidably received in the nest wheel for sequential actuation axially relative to the nest wheel by two independent circular stationary cams. The back-up rams, in partially advanced positions, define the outer boundaries of the pockets in which one of the outer side bar links of the chain is received. An alignment rod drum on the carrieron one side of the nest wheel continuously rotates in unison with the nest wheel and carries an endless array of rams with alignment rods (one for each pitch axis of the chain) which are slidably received in the back-up rams. The alignment rod rams engage a circular stationary cam for sequential movement of the alignment rods through the back-up rams and into the elements to be assembled for alignment thereof. On the opposite side of the nest wheel, a drive ram drum on the carrier rotates continuously in unison with the nest wheel. The drive ram drum carries an endless, circular, array of rams with rods, or pressure members, mounted thereon (one for each pitch axes of the chain). The rams are sequentially actuated to press the chain-elements against the back-up ram and into partial assembled relationship, forcing the alignment rods from the elements. The alignment rod rams advance to engage and advance the backup rams to complete assembly of the chain elements. After assembly, the assembled chain is stripped from the nest wheel at a discharge point.

Thus, in the present invention, the elements of the product, such as a chain, to be assembled are continuously supplied to pockets on a rotating carrier at an entry point and are aligned and assembled in the pockets as the pockets continuously move without stopping toward a discharge point. This is possible by virtue of the endless array of operating members (drive rams, back-up rams, and alignment rods) on the carrier which move in unison with said carrier and are operated sequentially as they move between the entry point and the discharge point. Moreover, the endless array of actuating members, and the sequential actuation thereof, permit operation on several products, or on several segments of a product, at the same time. Between the entry point and the discharge point, different segments of, for example, a chain are simultaneously undergoing different operations so that a continuous supply of in-process products or segments is continuously moving, in various stages of completion, from the entry point to the discharge point.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a method and machine for automatically assembling chain elements into a continuous chain at a high speed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a machine for automatically aligning and assembling elements and for applying force to the elements to press them into assembled relation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION-OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, taken in the direction of arrows 2-2 of FIG. 1, of the machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chain assembled in the machine of FIG. 1, a portion of the chain being shown as exploded.

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of the nest wheel of the machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in perspective of a fragmentary portion of the nest wheel of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken as the view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a section taken on' the line 99 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a section taken on the line 10-10 of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view taken in the direction of arrows 11-11 of FIG. 2, with parts being broken away and omitted for clarity. I

FIG. 12 is a schematic view in perspective of mecha nism for sequentially aligning the chain elements and urging the elements into assembled relationship.

FIG. I3 is a section taken on line l313 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 14 is a section taken on line 14-I4 of FIG. 7, portions being broken away.

FIG. 15 is a section taken on line 1515 of FIG. 7, portions being broken away.

FIGS. 16, I7, 18 and 19 are schematic views showing the sequence of assembly-of the chain elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS There is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the chain assembly machine of the present invention. A base plate 20 supports a frame 22 in which a rotating carrier (indicated at R) of the apparatus is journaled for rotation on a horizontal axis Z by driving members (indicated generally at D) mounted on base plate 20.

The driving members include a motor 24, the output shaft of which is connected by belt 26 to the input shaft of a clutch unit 28. The clutch operates selectively to connect the clutch unit input shaft to, or release the clutch input shaft from, the input shaft of a speed reducer 30. The speed reducer output shaft is connected to a flexible coupling 32.

The carrier R of the assembly machine, which rotates continuously at a constant rate of speed during the assembly operation, includes a nest wheel 34, an alignment rod drum 36, and a drive ram drum 38. As shown best in FIG. 3, these three members are connected together by two stub shafts: a left connecting shaft 40 extending between and secured to a hub portion 34a of the nest wheel 34 and a hub portion 36a of the alignment rod drum 36; and a right connecting shaft 42 extending between and secured to a hub portion 34b of the nest wheel 34 and a hub portion 380 of the drive ram drum 38. A left bearing shaft 44 is secured to and extends outwardly from (to the left as viewed in FIG. 3) a hub portion 36b of the alignment rod drum 36; a right bearing shaft 46 is secured to and extends outwardly from (to the right as viewed in FIG. 3) a hub portion 38b of the drive ram drum 38. The two outwardly extending bearing shafts 44 and 46 are received, respectively, in pillow bearings 48 and 50 secured to frame 22, and the right hand bearing shaft 46 is secured to flexible coupling 32. Thus the stub and bearing shafts 40, 42, 44 and 46 rigidly connect the members of carrier R (nest wheel 34, alignment rod drum 36,

and drive ram drum 38) together and connect them to the drive D through coupling 32 for rotation in unison on the horizontal axis Z.

In the chain assembly machine disclosed herein, roller units 60 of the chain (see FIG. 4) are pivotally joined to each other at pitch axis X by interconnecting side bar links 62 which are pivotally connected to the roller units by means of rivets, or pins, 64. The roller units 60 consist of two side links 66 having openings at each end which are tightly received on opposite ends of bushings 68. Rollers 70 are loosely and rotatably mounted on the bushings between the side links 66. The roller units are preassembled elsewhere by a separate machine and are fed to the machine disclosed herein as assembled units, or block elements, 60. These assembled units 60 are joined to each other in the machine of the present invention by the side bar links 62, which are pivotally connected to adjacent roller units 60 by the rivets 64 to form the finished chain 72. The rivets 64 are received through openings on pitch axis X in the side bar links and through the bushings of the roller units, as shown in FIG. 4. The side bar links 62 are similar in shape and length to the side links 66 of roller unit 60 but are slightly narrower. The particular chain 72 is shown to illustrate the assembling operation of the machine and it will be understood that other chains, and other products, or articles, (both continuous articles and separate articles) can be assembled by a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention. Portions of the chain in FIG. 4 are shown in exploded form merely to show more clearly the elements making up the chain. The exploded diagram is not intended to illustrate the manner of assembly of the chain, which will be described more fully hereafter.

The nest wheel 34, which is circular with its center on axis Z, contains an endless array of pockets in the periphery (equally spaced from axis Z) to receive the portions of the chain which are to be assembled. Although the pockets, hereinafter described, extend all the way around the periphery, only a portion of the pockets contain chain elements for assembly at any one time. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, a central vertical sprocket 74 has teeth 76 which define pockets to receive roller units 60. On the left side of the sprocket 74 (as viewed in FIGS. 7 and 8) is a left side bar nest ring 77 and on the right side is a right side bar and rivet nest ring 78. Both rings 77, 78 have a continuous cut away portion 80, 82, respectively, adjacent the sprocket to provide clearance for the side links 66 of the roller unit 60. The right hand ring 78 has a plurality of pockets 84 around the ring to receive the right hand side bar links 62, as shown best in FIG. 6 and a plurality of pockets, or grooves, 86 to receive the rivets 64, as shown best in FIG. 5. The left hand ring 77 has a plurality of pockets 90 to receive the left hand side bar links 62. The openings in the roller unit 60, and the openings in the side bar links 62 will fall on pitch axes Y of the carrier (which axes are equally spaced around the entire carrier) when these chain elements are in the pockets on the nest wheel, as shown in FIG. 5. The rivet pockets 86, and the rivets 64 therein, also are positioned on each pitch axis X. All of the pockets move continuously, during assembly operation, in circular paths about the axis Z of rotation of the carrier.

As shown best in FIGS. 5 and 6, the right and left hand rings 78 and 77 have a plurality of upstanding teeth, 92, 93 which define the forward and rearward boundaries of the pockets 84, 90. The teeth 92, 93 are in alignment with every other tooth 76 of the sprocket 74. The roller units 60 are placed only on the sprocket teeth 76 aligned with the teeth 92, 93 so that the forward end of one side bar link 62 will'be opposite the rearward end of one roller unit (see FIG. 5) and the rear end of that one link 62 will be opposite the forward end of the next rearward roller unit. As shown in FIG. 6, the inner sides of the link pockets 84, 90 are open for assembly of the links 62 to the roller units 60. The outer boundary of the right hand pockets 84 (see FIGS. 5 and 8) is defined by a vertical wall 94 in the right side bar and rivet nest ring 78. The outer boundary of each left hand pocket 90 is defined by the inner annular faces 96 of a pair of back-up rams, or pressure members, 98 (FIG. 5).

The back-up rams 98 (FIGS. 8 and 11) are slidably received in bores 99 of bushing 99a received in a backup ram housing plate 100 which, as shown in FIG. 3, is apart of the nest wheel. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the nest wheel (comprising sprocket 74, left side bar nest ring 77, right side bar and rivet nest ring 78, back-up ram housing plate 100, left hub portion 34a, a plate 115 and right hub portion 34b) is secured in assembled relation by bolts 101a, 101b, screws 1010, and dowel pins 101d. A pin 100a extending from plate 100 is received in a groove 98a in the inner end of the backup ram, to hold the backup ram in desired orientation as shown.

The bores 99, and the back-up rams received therein, extend in a circle all the way around the nest wheel, one on each pitch axis X. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 15, each back-up ram has a portion extending radially outwardly (with respect to the axis Z of the nest wheel) to be received into a cam 110 of inverted U-shaped cross-section. The cam 110 encircles axis Z adjacent back-up ram housing plate 100 to control the back-up rams through the entire revolution of the nest wheel 34 except through the area where the elements are actually being forced together, as described hereinafter. The back-up ram has forwardly and rearwardly extending set screws 111 to engage the legs 112 of the U- shaped cam for movement of the back-up ram in accordance with the contour of the cam. The cam is contoured to move the back-up ram forwardly, before a link is received in pocket 90, to the position shown in FIG. 5. At this time, the ram extends into the space between the teeth 92 to define the outer boundary of the pocket 90 which is to receive the side bar link 62. After partial assembly of the chain link elements, as hereinafter described, the cam 110 relinquishes control of the back-up rams (by a widening of the spacing between the cam legs). The final assembly of the chain elements is effected by advance of the back-up ram 98 by means to be hereinafter described. After the side bar links are completely assembled to the aligned roller units by the rivets, the back-up ram is withdrawn at small distance to permit the assembled chain to leave the nest wheel.

As shown best in FIG. 5, the right side bar and rivet nest rign 78 contains transverse open-ended slots 86, on each pitch axis X, which define pockets to receive the rivets of the chain. The rivet pockets are aligned with the centers of the back-up rams. The outer plate 115, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,'is provided with bores 117 to slidably receive drive ram rods 116, or pressure members, with a reduced outer end 116a, for pressing the rivets into the chain links and roller units.

Thus, it will be seen that the nest wheel consists of five circular plates and two hubs (back-up ram housing plate 100, left hand side bar nest plate 77, sprocket 74, right hand side bar and rivet nest plate 78, outer plate 115, left hub 34a, and right hub 34b) which define an endless array of pockets positioned all the way around the nest wheel to receive the parts of the chain to be assembled. The side bar links 62 are received in pockets in staggered, or overlapping, relation to the roller units 60 so that when assembled thereto they will pivotally connect the roller units to each other on the pitch axes X. The pins are received in pockets on pitch axes X which are aligned with openings at each end of the side bar links and with openings through the bushings of the roller links. Hoods 118 and 119 extend over portions of the nest wheel to hold the parts in place, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The hoods have been omitted from some of the Figures more clearly to show the mechanism beneath the hoods.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, two stationary chutes, secured to the frame 22, are provided to feed the elements of the chain to the nest wheel. Chute 120, which is fed a supply of rivets by conventional feeding mechanism (not shown), is positioned above the right side bar and rivet nest plate 78 upstream from the end of the hood 119. The chute 120 feeds a continuous flow of rivets to the successive rivet pockets 86 of the nest wheel as the pockets pass beneath the chute, as shown in FIG. 5. The bottom of the chute is located at a fixed entry point A (see FIG. 9) closely spaced to the periphery of plate 78 so that one, and only one, rivet can be released into each pocket 86. Chute 122, which is fed a supply of roller units 60 and a supply of side bar links 62 by conventional feeding mechanism (not shown), is positioned above the sprocket plate 74, the left hand side bar nest plate 77, and that portion of the right hand side bar and rivet nest plate which contains the pockets for the side bar links. The chute opening has four notches 124 (see FIG. 10) to receive and guide the side links 66 of the roller unit, and has clearance on either side of the plane of the notches, as at 126, to receive the side bar links 62 which are slightly narrower than the side links 66 of the roller unit. The chute 122 terminates at entry point B (FIG. 9) close to the periphery of the nest wheel to continuously feed the block units 60 to the sprocket 74 and the side bar links 62 to the side bar link pockets 84 and 90, as shown in FIG. 5.

The carrier R has, on one side of the nest wheel 34, the alignment rod drum, or wheel, 36 and on the other side the dirve ram drum, or wheel, 38, to support, re-

spectively, a circular array of alignment units 127 and a circular array of pressure units 129. As shown best in FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 11, both of these drums have bores 132 to slidably receive rams 130 of the alignment units 127 and the pressure units 129, both of which are actuated by cams. Each drum has edge slots 134, each of which communicate with one of the bores 132. A follower roller 136 secured to each ram is received in the slot to prevent the ram from turning. The bores 132, and the rams 130, are arrayed around the entire drum, equally spaced apart and equally spaced from the axis Z of rotation of the carrier. The pressure units 129 in the drive ram drum are actuated by a pair of stationary cams 138, 140 encircling the axis Z of rotation of the carrier. The cams are mounted on the frame 22 at the outer end of the pressure members, as shown in FIG. 3. Cam 138 has an outwardly facing surface 142 which is engaged by roller 144 of the ram. Carn 140 has an inwardly facing surface 146 which is engaged by roller 148. Similar cams 138a and 140a are mounted on the frame to encircle axis Z at the outer end of the alignment rod drum 36 and engage rollers on the alignment units to actuate the alignment units. The two pairs of cams, which are stationary, are contoured to urge the rams in and out as the rams orbit in drums 36 and 38 about axis Z.

Each-ram in the alignment rod drum 36 includes an bores 117 in the outer plate 115. The rivet rods 116, which extend through slots 1711a of end plate 170b on the adapter block 170, have heads 1 16b. The rod heads are held behind the slots in the end plate for floating movement therein. The rods 116 remain in bore 117 throughout the entire cycle but are free to shift in block 170 to maintain alignment with bore 117. The bores 117 are aligned radially and angularly with pockets, or

' grooves, 86 into which the rivets 64 are received. After alignment rod block, or adapter, 160 connected thereto at the inner end as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, 11, 12 and 13. Although only one block 160 is shown in FIG. 11 for clarity, and less than half the circle of blocks is shown in FIG. 12 for clarity, it will be understood that the blocks 160 are arrayed completely around the axis Z, equally spaced from each other and equally spaced from axis Z. The block 160 slidably receives four alignment members, or rods 162 which are connected to springs 164 mountedin bores 166 within the blocks. Since the four alignment rods are connected to a single adapter 160, of a single ram, the group of four rods 162 extend and retract as a group in unison. There is one alignment rod 162-for each pitch the alignment rod 162 is in the openings through the chain to align the elements thereof (block 60 and two side bar links 62), the pressure unit 129 is advanced by cam 140 to advance drive ram 130 and pressure members 116 thereof to push the rivet 64 into the opening through the chain. At the same time, the alignment rod 162, which is normally spring urged outwardly in the alignment rod block by spring 164, is forced back out of the chain opening.

The rivet 64 is forced through the right side bar 62 and the roller unit 60 of the chain by the pressure unit 129, which ceases its advancing movement at that time. Thereafter, the alignment rod block 160, which previously advanced to an intermediate position to advance the alignment rods into the chain elements, now advances further into engagement with the back-up ram, or pressure member, 98 (as indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 8) to advance that member and the left side bar in engagement therewith. The left side bar is thereby forced onto the rivet. The rivet is held firmly by the pressure unit 129 as the left side bar link 162 is forced on the rivet by pressure member 98. A counterbore 96a in the face 96 of the back-up ram receives the tip of the rivet. It should be noted that the legs 112 of cam 110 are relieved, as indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 8, at the angular position where the alignment rod block 160 advances the back-up ram 98 so that the movement of the back-up ram, in this portion of the assembly cycle,

axis and the rods 162 are slidably received in bores 168 (see FIG. 8) which extendthrough the back-up rams 98. Thus the alignment rods are in complementary relationship to the back-up rams since they can pass through the openings in the back-up rams and extend into the pockets which receive the chain elements. The bores 168 terminate in the center of the end face 96 of the back-up rams on each pitch axis X of the carrier. The ram 130 (which drives the alignment rods) is advanced initially to an intermediate position by cam 138a after blocks 60, side bar links 62, and rods 64 have been deposited in the pockets of the nest wheel. The alignment rod 162 is slightly smaller in diameter than the openings'in the side bar links 62 and roller units 60, and is beveled at its outer end. The rod extends through the back-up ram and enters the openings in the side bar links and roller units to align those members for receipt of the rivet.

Each ram in the drive ram drum 38 includes a ram rod block, or adapter, 170 secured thereto at the inner end. The blocks 170, like the blocks 160, completely encircle the axis Z, equally spaced therefrom, and are equally spaced from each other. The block has mounted thereto four ram, or rivet, rods 116, defining pressure members, as shown in FIGS. 8, 11 and 14, (one on each pitch axis X) which slidably extend into is effected by the stationary cam 140a (see FIG. 12) which controls the alignment rod block 130, instead of by the stationary cam which normally controls the back-up ram. After the chain is assembled, the alignment rod 162 is first retracted, and then the back-up ram 98 is moved away from the chain for release of the chain from the pockets in the nest wheel. A spring 171 received on the alignment rods between the block 160 and the back-up ram 98 (which has a counterbore 171a to receive the spring) assures retraction of the members 162 and 98 in the preferred order for a more positive disengagement from the chain.

It will be noted that although the alignment rods 162 and ram rods 116 lie on circles M and N (which also define the circle of pitch axes X of the carrier), each alignment rod ram carries four alignment rods and each drive ram 130 carries four rivet rods, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 11 and 12, four alignment rods are advanced and retracted in unison and four rivet rods are advanced and retracted in unison. As indicated by FIGS. 1, 2 and 12 the circle of alignment rods and rivet rods extend about the entire circles M and N, respectively, to define an endless array of alignment rods 162 and rivet rods 116. Since there is a back-up ram 98 for each alignment rod, thereis also an endless circle of rams 98.

When the elements (blocks 60, side bar links 62, and rivets 64) for a particular increment of chain are initially deposited in the nest wheel 34, the alignment rod ram 130 and rivet, or drive, ram 130 aligned with those pockets are in the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 16. For clarity, only one group of four rods and one group of four rams is shown in FIGS. 16, 17, 18 and 19. At that time, the back-up ram 98 (not shown in FIGS. 16, 17, 18 or 19 for clarity) is forward to define the outer boundary of the pocket 90 for the left side bar link 62. An alignment rod ram 130 is first advanced by cam 140a to extend the four alignment rods 162 in the block 160 carried by that ram through the elements of the chain, as shown in FIG. 17. Thereafter, the drive, or rivet, ram 130 is advanced to urge four rivets 64 through right side bars 62 and roller link units 60 as shown in FIG. 18, pushing back the alignment rods 162 against the biasing force of springs 164. The backup ram is then advanced by ram 130 to place left side bars onto the rivets. Thereafter, both rams 130 are retracted, as shown in FIG. 19, and the back-up ram 98 is retracted by cam 110 to allow this particular increment of chain to be released. It should be noted that, as shown in FIG. 12, assembly of the next increment of chain begins before completion of the preceding increment of chain. The precise movement of the drive rods, the alignment rods, and the back-up rams under the influence of the stationary cams will be more fully discussed hereinafter in conjunction with FIG. 9.

During the operation of the assembly machine of the present invention the nest wheel 34, alignment rod drum 36 and drive ram drum 38 (FIG. 1) are all rotated continuously at the same angular speed in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the left end of the machine of FIG. 1 (see FIG. 9). The chute 120 deposits one rivet in each pocket 86 at the entry point A in a dixed entry zone EZ as the pockets continuously pass under the chute. At entry point B in the entry zone EZ the block units 60 drop onto the nest wheel to straddle every other tooth of the sprocket 74. The first block unit 60 is placed on the sprocket to straddle a tooth 76 thereof which is aligned with the teeth 92 and 93 of the right side bar and rivet nest ring 78 and the left side bar nest ring 77, respectively. Each subsequent block unit will then drop from chute 122 into the nest pockets defined by sprocket teeth 76 with each unit straddling the tooth aligned with the teeth 92 and 93. At the same point B, each side bar link 62 on one side of the block units 60 in the chute will drop into one of the pockets 84 and each side bar link 62 on the other side of the block unit 60 in the chute will drop into one of the pockets 90 as the pockets 84 and 90 pass under the chute 122. It should be noted that in the illustrative embodiment disclosed herein, the outer edges of the links 62 are beveled, as at 172 in FIG. 10. Consequently, it is necessary that the side bar links 62 be fed to chute 122 in proper orientation with the beveled edges out. At thistime the actuating members comprising the alignment member 127, the back-up pressure member 98, and the drive, or rivet, pressure member 129 are in the position shown in FIG. 16.

The elements of the chain are carried by the continuously rotating nest wheel downstream from the entry points A and B for assembly. It will be noted, as shown in FIG. 5, that at this time the side bar links 62 are in staggered relation to the block units 60 with the opening in the forward, or downstream, end of the side bar link aligned with the rear, or upstream, opening in the block unit. The openings in the rear, or upstream, ends of the side bar links are aligned with the openings in the forward, or downstream, end of the block units. The

rivets are aligned with each opening on the pitch axis X.

As the nest wheel 34 rotates with the alignment rod drum 36 and the drive ram drum 38, the alignment rods and the ram, or rivet, rods move in and out sequentially in accordance with the contours of the stationary cams 138, 140 and 138a, 140a which govern their axial movement, as previously described in conjunction with FIGS. 16 to 19. At the same time, the back-up rams 98, which are carried by the nest wheel, move in and out sequentially as governed by the stationary cam and, while the left side bar is being forced on the rivet, by the stationary cam a.

Between points C and D (FIG. 9) each left ram 130 advances with the group of four alignment rods to project the rods through the left side bar link 62, the block unit 60, and the right side bar link 62, as shown in FIG. 17. This produces the precision alignment required for inserting the chain rivet. The left rams 130 dwell at this intermediate position until point B is reached.

Between points D and E, each right ram 130, and the four rods, or pressure members, 116 secured thereto, advance to drive the rivets 64 through the right .side bar link 62, the block unit 60, but not, at this time, the left side bar link 62, as shown in FIG. 18. The leading end of the rivets force the spring loaded alignment rods 162 back into the adapter 160. Between points D and F, the distance between the legs 112 of cam l10 is slightly greater (say about five thirty-seconds of an inch) than the distance between the ends of the set screws. Thus, the back-up rams, or pressure members, 98 are not closely engaged with the legs of the cam 110 and are free to slide axially through the back-up ram housing plate 100 of the nest wheel. Due to the interference fit between the chain rivets 64 and the side bar links 62, the rivets push the side bar links back about one sixteenth of an inch. The right ram 130, and the rivet rods 116 connected thereto, dwell at this intermediate position until point F is reached.

Between points E and F, the back-up rams, or pressure members, 98 advance further to force the left side bar link 162 onto the rivets 64, which, at this point, are held in position by the right rams 130. Thereafter, between the points F and G, the alignment rods, rivet rods, and back-up rams retract and completly disengage from the now assembled chain 72, as shown in FIG. 19. At point G, which defines a fixed discharge point in fixed discharge zone DZ, a fixed stripper 173 separates the chain 72 from the carrier R for discharge out passage 175 of stationary chute 174. This completes the assembly of the chain insofar as performed in the machine disclosed herein. In subsequent operation, the ends of the rivets are peened to hold the links together in a more positive fashion.

Although the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been herein shown and described, it will be apparent that modification and variatlon may be made without departing from what is regarded to be the subject matter of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for assembling chain for discharge at a discharge point from elements received at an entry point, the combination comprising a rotatable carrier, said carrier having an endless array of pockets therein positioned around the axis of rotation of the carrier and equally spaced therefrom, said pockets shaped to receive the separate elements of the chain to be assembled, an endless array of rods mounted in the carrier for orbital movement as the carrier rotates, said rods spaced from said axis of rotation the same distance as said pockets, said rods on each side of said pockets and aligned with said pockets, a plurality of springs to bias at least some of said rods, means to rotate said carrier continuously during the assembly operation, means to extend said spring biased rods into said pockets between the entry point and the discharge point to align at least some of said chain elements, and means to extend other of said rods into said pockets between the entry point and the discharge point to press at least some of said chain elements together and force the spring biased rods from said pockets.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 in which said carrier is of generally cylindrical conformation with the axis of rotation generally horizontal, and in which said pockets are positioned in an endless array around the periphery of the cylinder.

3. The mechanism of claim 2 in which said pockets include an endless circular array of rivet pockets, and in which a rod is aligned with each rivet pocket.

4. In a machine for assembling chain for discharge at a discharge point from elements received at an entry point, the combination comprising a carrier, said carrier having an endless array of pockets therein, including pockets for link elements and pockets for rivet ele ments, positioned around the axis of rotation of the carrier and equally spaced therefrom, said pockets shaped to receive the separate elements of the chain to be assembled, an endless array of pressure members mounted in said carrier on each side of said pockets and arranged around said axis of rotation of said carrier for alignment with the pockets therein, an endless array of alignment members mounted in said carrier on one side of said pockets, means to rotate said carrier about said axis of rotation continuously during the assembly operation, two chutes at the entry point to feed elements to the carrier, one of said chutes for the link elements terminating above the path of the pockets therefor and one for the rivet elements terminating above thepath of the pockets therefor, and means sequentially to advance said alignment members and said pressure members between the entry point and the discharge point to align said elements and to press said elements into assembled relation.

5. In a machine for assembling chain for discharge at a discharge point from elementsreceived at an entry point, the combination comprising a carrier, said carrier having an endless array of pockets therein positioned around the axis of rotation of the carrier and equally spaced therefrom, said pockets shaped to receive the separate elements of the chain to be assembled, an endless array of pressure members mounted in said carrier on each side of said pockets and arranged around said axis of rotation of said carrier for alignment with the pockets therein, an endless array of alignment members mounted in said carrier on one side of said pockets, means to rotate said carrier about said axis of rotation continuously during the assembly operation, at least one chute at the entry point to feed elements to the carrier, means sequentially to advance said alignment members between the entry point and the discharge point to align said elements, and means sequentially to advance said pressure members between the entry point and the discharge point to press said elements into assembled relation.

6. In a machine for assembling chain for discharge at a discharge point from elements received at an entry point, the combination comprising a cylindrical carrier rotatable about an axis, said carrier having an endless array of pockets in the periphery of the carrier positioned around the axis of rotation of the carrier and equally spaced therefrom, said pockets shaped to receive the separate elements of the chain to be assembled, an endless array of pressure members mounted in the periphery of said carrier and arranged around said axis of rotation of said carrier on each side of the pockets therein for alignment with the pockets, an endless array of alignment members arranged around said axis of rotation on one side of said pockets, said alignment members extendable through the pressure members on said one side of said pockets, means to rotate said carrier about said axis of rotation continuously during the assembly operation, a chute at the entry point to feed chain elements to the carrier, a chute at the discharge point to receive the assembled chain, means including a stationary cam to sequentially advance the alignment members into the pockets between the entry point and the discharge point to align the elements therein and means including two stationary cams sequentially to reciprocate the pressure members between the entry point and the discharge point to press the elements of the chain into assembled relation.

7. The mechanism of claim 6 including a ram interposed between said alignment members and the stationary cam which advances said alignment members, said ram engaging and advancing the pressure member through which the alignment members extend during a portion of the assembly cycle.

8. In a machine for assembling an article from elements thereof, the combination comprising a continuously moving carrier having pockets therein to receive elements'of the article, a plurality of ram rods on one side of said pockets and movable therewith, a plurality of alignment rods on the other side of said pockets and movable therewith, means to insert said alignment rods into said pockets to align the elements therein, and means to advance said ram rods to said pockets after the elements have been aligned therein to press said aligned elements into assembled relation.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which said carrier has a nest wheel, an alignment rod drum on one side of the nest wheel and a ram rod drum on the other side of the nest wheel.

' 10. In a machine for assembling articles from elements thereof, the combination comprising a cylindrical carrier continuously rotatable about an axis, said carrier having peripheral pockets therein to receive the separate elements of the articles, a circular array of alignment rods onone side of said pockets, a circular array of pressure members on the other side of said pockets, an array of rams on each side of said pockets, said alignment rods, pressure members, and rams orbital about said axis with said pockets, means connecting a plurality of alignment rods to each ram on said one side of the pockets, means connecting a plurality of pressure members to each ram on said other side of the pockets, means to advance said rams on said one side of said pockets toward the pockets to urge the alignment members on that side of the pockets into the pockets to align the article elements therein, and means to advance said rams on the other side of said pockets toward the pockets to urge the pressure members on that side of the pockets into pressing engagement with the article elements.

11. The mechanism of claim in which the means to insert said alignment rods and the means to advance said rams are stationary cams.

12. In a machine for assembling articles from elements thereof, the combination comprising a continuously rotating carrier having pockets therein to receive the separate elements of the articles, a plurality of pressure members mounted in the carrier on one side of said pockets, a plurality of pressure members mounted in the carrier on the opposite side of said pockets, a plurality of alignment members mounted in said carrier in complementary relationship to one of said pressure members, means to advance the alignment members into the pockets to align at least some of the elements therein, and means to advance the pressure members toward the pockets to press the elements therein into assembled relationship.

13. The mechanism of claim 12 in which said carrier has a nest wheel in the periphery of which said pockets are positioned, and in which said pressure members in complementary relationship to said alignment members are mounted in the nest wheel.

14. ln a machine for assembling chain from chain elements, the combination comprising a carrier rotatable about an axis, said carrier having an endless array of pockets to receive chain elements therein, a first endless array of pressure members mounted in the carrier on one side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said pockets, a second endless array of pressure members mounted in the carrier on the other side of said pockets and in alignment with said pockets, an endless array of alignment rods mounted in the carrier in complementary relationship to said second array of pressure members, means including a first stationary cam and a first array of rams to sequentially advance said first array of pressure members toward said pockets, means including a second and third stationary cam and a second array of rams to sequentially advance said second array of pressure members toward said pockets, whereby the elements in said pockets are pressed between said pressure members into assembled relationship.

15. The mechanism of claim 14 in which said second stationary cam and said second array of rams actuate said second array of pressure members during a part of the operating cycle of the machine and said third stationary cam actuates said second array of pressure members during another part of said operating cycle.

16. In a mcahine for assembling articles from elements thereof, the combination comprising a carrier rotatable about an axis, said carrier having an endless array of pockets to receive the elements therein, a first endless array of pressure members mounted in the carrier on one side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said pockets, a second endless array of pressure members having openings therein mounted in the carrier on the other side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said-pockets, an endless array of alignment rods mounted in the carrier in complementary relationship with said second array of pressure members for extension through the openings of the pressure members, means to sequentially advance the alignment rods into said pockets to align at least some of the elements therein, means to sequentially advance said first array of pressure members toward said pockets to sequentially press at least some of the elements into assembled relationship, and means to rotate said carrier continuously during the assembly operation.

17. The mechanism of claim 16 in which said carrier includes pockets to receive roller units of a chain, pockets on either side of said roller unit pockets to receive the side bar links of the chain in overlapping relation to the roller units, and pockets outboard of the side bar link pockets on one side of the roller unit pockets to receive the chain rivets.

18. In a machine for assembling from chain elements received at a fixed entry point finished chain for discharge at a fixed discharge point, the combination comprising a cylindrical carrier rotatable about an axis, said carrier having an endless array of peripheral pockets to receive chain elements therein, a first endless array of pressure members mounted in the carrier on one side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said pockets, a second endless array of pressure members having openings therein mounted in the carrier on the other side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said pockets, an endless array of alignment rods mounted in the carrier in complementary relationship with said second array of pressure members for extension through the openings in the second array of pressure members, at least one fixed feed chute terminating close to the periphery of the cylindrical carrier at the entry point to deposit elements into said pockets, means sequentially to advance said alignment rods between the entry point and the discharge point to align at least some of the elements in said pockets, a first stationary cam sequentially to advance said first array of pressure members toward said pockets between said entry point and said discharge point, a second stationary cam sequentially to advance said second array of pressure members toward said pockets, and a third stationary cam to further advance said second array of pressure members whereby said pressure members press the elements in the pockets into assembled relationship, and means to rotate said carrier continuously during assembling operations. 7

19. The mechanism of claim 18 in which said pockets receive chain elements havine openings therein and hold said chain elements with the openings on pitch axes and in which pockets on the pitch axes receive and hold rivets for insertion into said openings by one of said arrays of pressure members.

20. In a machine for inserting a rivet into chain links to assemble said links into a continuous chain, the combination comprising a rotatable cylindrical carrier, said carrier having an endless array of peripheral pockets to receive chain elements including pockets to receive link elements and pockets to receive rivet elements, an endless array of pressure members mounted in the carrier on one side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said rivet pockets, an endless array of alignment rods on the other side of said array of pockets and in line with said link element pockets, an endless array of rams mounted in the carrier on said other side of the pockets, means yieldably connecting a plurality of said alignment rods to each of said rams, means sequentially to advance said rams to advance said alignment rods into the link element pockets to align the link elements therein, and means sequentially to advance said pressure members to force said alignment rods out of said pockets and to insert the rivets elements into said link elements.

2]. The mechanism of claim in which said pockets hold chain elements having openings therein on pitch axes equally spaced around the carrier and in which the rivet pockets hold rivets on said pitch axes, said alignment rods and said pressure members mounted in the carrier on said pitch axes.

22. In amachine for inserting a rivet into chain links to assemble said links into a continuous chain, the combination comprising a rotatable carrier, said carrier having an endless array of peripheral pockets to receive chain elements therein including pockets to receive links of the chain and pockets to receive chain rivets, an endless array of pressure members mounted in the carrier on one side of said array of pockets and in alignment-with said pockets, an endless array of back-up rams mounted in the carrier on the other side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said pockets, said back-up rams having openings therein, an endless array of alignment rods mounted inthe carrier in complementary relationship with said back-up rams for extension through the openings in the back-up rams, means sequentially to advance said alignment rods into said pockets to align the links which are to receive the rivets, means sequentially to advance said pressure members and said back-up rams to press the rivets into links and simultaneously retract v the alignment rods form said links, and means to rotate said carrier continuously during assembly operation.

23. The mechanism of claim 22 in which said carrier has a nest wheel, an alignment rod drum and a drum to support said pressure members, said pockets positioned on said nest wheel on pitch axes of the chain to be assembled, said alignment rods mounted in said alignment rod drum on said pitch axes and said pressure members mounted in the drum for the pressure members on said pitch axes.

24. The method of assembling chain from chain ele' ments comprising the steps of continuously rotating a carrier member having pockets to receive the chain elements, depositing'the chain elements into the pockets at an entry point, aligning the elements i each pocket with a yieldable alignment member as the carrier moves each pocket away from the entry point, forcing the alignment members out of the pockets and pressing the aligned chain elements into assembled relation in each pocket as the pocket moves between the entry point and a discharge point, and removing the chain from the carrier at the discharge point.

25. The method of assembling chain from chain elements including rivets comprising the steps of continuously rotating a carrier member having pockets to receive the chain elements, depositing the chain elements into the pockets at an entry point, inserting a group of alignment rods simultaneously through openings in the chain elements to align said elements for receipt of a rivet as the pockets containing the elements move away from the entry point, advancing a group of rivet rods simultaneously in the opposite direction toward said openings in said chain to press a plurality of rivets simultaneously into the aligned chain elements of adjacent pockets as the alignment rods withdraw from said pockets during movement of the pockets between the entry point and a discharge point, inserting successive groups of alignment rods into and advancing successive groups of rivet rods toward successive openings of chain elements for the alignment and assembly thereof.

26. The method of assembling chain from chain elements including rivets comprising the steps of continuously rotating a carrier member having an endless array of pockets to receive the chain elements, depositing chain elements into each pocket of the carrier at an entry point as the pockets successively pass said entry point in continuous movement toward a discharge point, inserting groups of alignment rods sequentially into the pockets moving between the entry point and the discharge point, successively pressing groups of rivets into the aligned chain elements of successive pockets moving between the entry point and the discharge point as the alignment rods withdraw therefrom, and removing the assembled chain from the carrier at the discharge point.

27. The method of assembling articles from elements thereof comprising the steps of continuously rotating a carrier member having an endless array of pockets to receive the elements therein, depositing the elements into each pocket at an entry point as the pockets successively pass said entry point in continuous movement toward a discharge point, providing pressure members on each side of each pocket, inserting an alignment rod through one of said pressure members to align the elements in the pocket, moving the pressure members together and withdrawing the alignment rod to press the elements in the pocket into aligned assembled relationship.

28. in a machine for assembling articles from elements thereof, the combination comprising a continuously moving carrier having pockets therein to receive the elements to be assembled, back-up means movable with each pocket, a frist cam member to position the back-up means with respect to the pockets, a plurality of drive rams on each side of said pockets movable with said pockets, and second and third cam members to advance the rams to press the elements into assembled relation between the back-up means and the drive rams.

29. In a machine for assembling articles from elements thereof, the combination comprising a continuously moving carrier having pockets therein to receive the elements to be assembled, back-up means at one Side of each pocket and movable with the pocket, a plurality of alignment rods movable with said pockets on said one side of said pockets, said alignment rods insertable through the back-up means to align the elements in the pockets, and drive rams movable with said pockets to press the elements in the pockets into assembled relation between the back-up means and the drive rams.

30. An assembly machine comprising a carrier continuously rotatable about an axis during operation and having a plurality of peripheral pockets to receive the parts to be assembled, a plurality of alignment rods movably mounted on said carrier for at least some of said pockets, each rod continuously aligned with the same pocket, means to move said alignment rods into said pockets to align the parts therein, and means to force the aligned parts together in the pocket to form an assembled element.

31. An assembly machine comprising a nest wheel continuously rotatable about an axis during rotation and having a plurality of peripheral pockets to receive 

1. In a machine for assembling chain for discharge at a discharge point from elements received at an entry point, the combination comprising a rotatable carrier, said carrier having an endless array of pockets therein positioned around the axis of rotation of the carrier and equally spaced therefrom, said pockets shaped to receive the separate elements of the chain to be assembled, an endless array of rods mounted in the carrier for orbital movement as the carrier rotates, said rods spaced from said axis of rotation the same distance as said pockets, said rods on each side of said pockets and aligned with said pockets, a plurality of springs to bias at least some of said rods, means to rotate said carrier continuously during the assembly operation, means to extend said spring biased rods into said pockets between the entry point and the discharge point to align at least some of said chain elements, and means to extend other of said rods into said pockets between the entry point and the discharge point to press at least some of said chain elements together and force the spring biased rods from said pockets.
 2. The mechanism of claim 1 in which said carrier is of generally cylindrical conformation with the axis of rotation generally horizontal, and in which said pockets are positioned in an endless array around the periphery of the cylinder.
 3. The mechanism of claim 2 in which said pockets include an endless circular array of rivet pockets, and in which a rod is aligned with each rivet pocket.
 4. In a machine for assembling chain for discharge at a discharge point from elements received at an entry point, the combination comprising a carrier, said carrier having an endless array of pockets therein, including pockets for link elements and pockets for rivet elements, positioned around the axis of rotation of the carrier and equally spaced therefrom, said pockets shaped to receive the separate elements of the chain to be assembled, an endless array of pressure members mounted in said carrier on each side of said pockets and arranged around said axis of rotation of said carrier for alignment with the pockets therein, an endless array of alignment members mounted in said carrier on one side of said pockets, means to rotate said carrier about said axis of rotation continuously during the assembly operation, two chutes at the entry point to feed elements to the carrier, one of said chutes for the link elements terminating above the path of the pockets therefor and one for the rivet elements terminating above the path of the pockets therefor, and means sequentially to advance said alignment members and said pressure members between the entry point and the discharge point to align said elements and to press said elements into assembled relation.
 5. In a machine for assembling chain for discharge at a discharge point from elements received at an entry point, the combination comprising a carrier, said carrier having an endless array of pockets therein positioned around the axis of rotation of the carrier and equally spaced therefrom, said pockets shaped to receive the separate elements of the chain to be assembled, an endless array of pressure members mounted in said carrier on each side of said pockets and arranged around said axis of rotation of said carrier for alignment with the pockets therein, an endless array of alignment members mounted in said carrier on one side of said pockets, means to rotate Said carrier about said axis of rotation continuously during the assembly operation, at least one chute at the entry point to feed elements to the carrier, means sequentially to advance said alignment members between the entry point and the discharge point to align said elements, and means sequentially to advance said pressure members between the entry point and the discharge point to press said elements into assembled relation.
 6. In a machine for assembling chain for discharge at a discharge point from elements received at an entry point, the combination comprising a cylindrical carrier rotatable about an axis, said carrier having an endless array of pockets in the periphery of the carrier positioned around the axis of rotation of the carrier and equally spaced therefrom, said pockets shaped to receive the separate elements of the chain to be assembled, an endless array of pressure members mounted in the periphery of said carrier and arranged around said axis of rotation of said carrier on each side of the pockets therein for alignment with the pockets, an endless array of alignment members arranged around said axis of rotation on one side of said pockets, said alignment members extendable through the pressure members on said one side of said pockets, means to rotate said carrier about said axis of rotation continuously during the assembly operation, a chute at the entry point to feed chain elements to the carrier, a chute at the discharge point to receive the assembled chain, means including a stationary cam to sequentially advance the alignment members into the pockets between the entry point and the discharge point to align the elements therein and means including two stationary cams sequentially to reciprocate the pressure members between the entry point and the discharge point to press the elements of the chain into assembled relation.
 7. The mechanism of claim 6 including a ram interposed between said alignment members and the stationary cam which advances said alignment members, said ram engaging and advancing the pressure member through which the alignment members extend during a portion of the assembly cycle.
 8. In a machine for assembling an article from elements thereof, the combination comprising a continuously moving carrier having pockets therein to receive elements of the article, a plurality of ram rods on one side of said pockets and movable therewith, a plurality of alignment rods on the other side of said pockets and movable therewith, means to insert said alignment rods into said pockets to align the elements therein, and means to advance said ram rods to said pockets after the elements have been aligned therein to press said aligned elements into assembled relation.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which said carrier has a nest wheel, an alignment rod drum on one side of the nest wheel and a ram rod drum on the other side of the nest wheel.
 10. In a machine for assembling articles from elements thereof, the combination comprising a cylindrical carrier continuously rotatable about an axis, said carrier having peripheral pockets therein to receive the separate elements of the articles, a circular array of alignment rods on one side of said pockets, a circular array of pressure members on the other side of said pockets, an array of rams on each side of said pockets, said alignment rods, pressure members, and rams orbital about said axis with said pockets, means connecting a plurality of alignment rods to each ram on said one side of the pockets, means connecting a plurality of pressure members to each ram on said other side of the pockets, means to advance said rams on said one side of said pockets toward the pockets to urge the alignment members on that side of the pockets into the pockets to align the article elements therein, and means to advance said rams on the other side of said pockets toward the pockets to urge the pressure members on that side of the pockets into pressing engagement with the article elements.
 11. The mechanIsm of claim 10 in which the means to insert said alignment rods and the means to advance said rams are stationary cams.
 12. In a machine for assembling articles from elements thereof, the combination comprising a continuously rotating carrier having pockets therein to receive the separate elements of the articles, a plurality of pressure members mounted in the carrier on one side of said pockets, a plurality of pressure members mounted in the carrier on the opposite side of said pockets, a plurality of alignment members mounted in said carrier in complementary relationship to one of said pressure members, means to advance the alignment members into the pockets to align at least some of the elements therein, and means to advance the pressure members toward the pockets to press the elements therein into assembled relationship.
 13. The mechanism of claim 12 in which said carrier has a nest wheel in the periphery of which said pockets are positioned, and in which said pressure members in complementary relationship to said alignment members are mounted in the nest wheel.
 14. In a machine for assembling chain from chain elements, the combination comprising a carrier rotatable about an axis, said carrier having an endless array of pockets to receive chain elements therein, a first endless array of pressure members mounted in the carrier on one side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said pockets, a second endless array of pressure members mounted in the carrier on the other side of said pockets and in alignment with said pockets, an endless array of alignment rods mounted in the carrier in complementary relationship to said second array of pressure members, means including a first stationary cam and a first array of rams to sequentially advance said first array of pressure members toward said pockets, means including a second and third stationary cam and a second array of rams to sequentially advance said second array of pressure members toward said pockets, whereby the elements in said pockets are pressed between said pressure members into assembled relationship.
 15. The mechanism of claim 14 in which said second stationary cam and said second array of rams actuate said second array of pressure members during a part of the operating cycle of the machine and said third stationary cam actuates said second array of pressure members during another part of said operating cycle.
 16. In a machine for assembling articles from elements thereof, the combination comprising a carrier rotatable about an axis, said carrier having an endless array of pockets to receive the elements therein, a first endless array of pressure members mounted in the carrier on one side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said pockets, a second endless array of pressure members having openings therein mounted in the carrier on the other side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said pockets, an endless array of alignment rods mounted in the carrier in complementary relationship with said second array of pressure members for extension through the openings of the pressure members, means to sequentially advance the alignment rods into said pockets to align at least some of the elements therein, means to sequentially advance said first array of pressure members toward said pockets to sequentially press at least some of the elements into assembled relationship, and means to rotate said carrier continuously during the assembly operation.
 17. The mechanism of claim 16 in which said carrier includes pockets to receive roller units of a chain, pockets on either side of said roller unit pockets to receive the side bar links of the chain in overlapping relation to the roller units, and pockets outboard of the side bar link pockets on one side of the roller unit pockets to receive the chain rivets.
 18. In a machine for assembling from chain elements received at a fixed entry point finished chain for discharge at a fixed discharge point, the combination comprising a cylindriCal carrier rotatable about an axis, said carrier having an endless array of peripheral pockets to receive chain elements therein, a first endless array of pressure members mounted in the carrier on one side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said pockets, a second endless array of pressure members having openings therein mounted in the carrier on the other side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said pockets, an endless array of alignment rods mounted in the carrier in complementary relationship with said second array of pressure members for extension through the openings in the second array of pressure members, at least one fixed feed chute terminating close to the periphery of the cylindrical carrier at the entry point to deposit elements into said pockets, means sequentially to advance said alignment rods between the entry point and the discharge point to align at least some of the elements in said pockets, a first stationary cam sequentially to advance said first array of pressure members toward said pockets between said entry point and said discharge point, a second stationary cam sequentially to advance said second array of pressure members toward said pockets, and a third stationary cam to further advance said second array of pressure members whereby said pressure members press the elements in the pockets into assembled relationship, and means to rotate said carrier continuously during assembling operations.
 19. The mechanism of claim 18 in which said pockets receive chain elements having openings therein and hold said chain elements with the openings on pitch axes and in which pockets on the pitch axes receive and hold rivets for insertion into said openings by one of said arrays of pressure members.
 20. In a machine for inserting a rivet into chain links to assemble said links into a continuous chain, the combination comprising a rotatable cylindrical carrier, said carrier having an endless array of peripheral pockets to receive chain elements including pockets to receive link elements and pockets to receive rivet elements, an endless array of pressure members mounted in the carrier on one side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said rivet pockets, an endless array of alignment rods on the other side of said array of pockets and in line with said link element pockets, an endless array of rams mounted in the carrier on said other side of the pockets, means yieldably connecting a plurality of said alignment rods to each of said rams, means sequentially to advance said rams to advance said alignment rods into the link element pockets to align the link elements therein, and means sequentially to advance said pressure members to force said alignment rods out of said pockets and to insert the rivets elements into said link elements.
 21. The mechanism of claim 20 in which said pockets hold chain elements having openings therein on pitch axes equally spaced around the carrier and in which the rivet pockets hold rivets on said pitch axes, said alignment rods and said pressure members mounted in the carrier on said pitch axes.
 22. In a machine for inserting a rivet into chain links to assemble said links into a continuous chain, the combination comprising a rotatable carrier, said carrier having an endless array of peripheral pockets to receive chain elements therein including pockets to receive links of the chain and pockets to receive chain rivets, an endless array of pressure members mounted in the carrier on one side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said pockets, an endless array of back-up rams mounted in the carrier on the other side of said array of pockets and in alignment with said pockets, said back-up rams having openings therein, an endless array of alignment rods mounted in the carrier in complementary relationship with said back-up rams for extension through the openings in the back-up rams, means sequentially to advance said alignment rods into said pockets to align the links which are to receive the rivetS, means sequentially to advance said pressure members and said back-up rams to press the rivets into links and simultaneously retract the alignment rods form said links, and means to rotate said carrier continuously during assembly operation.
 23. The mechanism of claim 22 in which said carrier has a nest wheel, an alignment rod drum and a drum to support said pressure members, said pockets positioned on said nest wheel on pitch axes of the chain to be assembled, said alignment rods mounted in said alignment rod drum on said pitch axes and said pressure members mounted in the drum for the pressure members on said pitch axes.
 24. The method of assembling chain from chain elements comprising the steps of continuously rotating a carrier member having pockets to receive the chain elements, depositing the chain elements into the pockets at an entry point, aligning the elements in each pocket with a yieldable alignment member as the carrier moves each pocket away from the entry point, forcing the alignment members out of the pockets and pressing the aligned chain elements into assembled relation in each pocket as the pocket moves between the entry point and a discharge point, and removing the chain from the carrier at the discharge point.
 25. The method of assembling chain from chain elements including rivets comprising the steps of continuously rotating a carrier member having pockets to receive the chain elements, depositing the chain elements into the pockets at an entry point, inserting a group of alignment rods simultaneously through openings in the chain elements to align said elements for receipt of a rivet as the pockets containing the elements move away from the entry point, advancing a group of rivet rods simultaneously in the opposite direction toward said openings in said chain to press a plurality of rivets simultaneously into the aligned chain elements of adjacent pockets as the alignment rods withdraw from said pockets during movement of the pockets between the entry point and a discharge point, inserting successive groups of alignment rods into and advancing successive groups of rivet rods toward successive openings of chain elements for the alignment and assembly thereof.
 26. The method of assembling chain from chain elements including rivets comprising the steps of continuously rotating a carrier member having an endless array of pockets to receive the chain elements, depositing chain elements into each pocket of the carrier at an entry point as the pockets successively pass said entry point in continuous movement toward a discharge point, inserting groups of alignment rods sequentially into the pockets moving between the entry point and the discharge point, successively pressing groups of rivets into the aligned chain elements of successive pockets moving between the entry point and the discharge point as the alignment rods withdraw therefrom, and removing the assembled chain from the carrier at the discharge point.
 27. The method of assembling articles from elements thereof comprising the steps of continuously rotating a carrier member having an endless array of pockets to receive the elements therein, depositing the elements into each pocket at an entry point as the pockets successively pass said entry point in continuous movement toward a discharge point, providing pressure members on each side of each pocket, inserting an alignment rod through one of said pressure members to align the elements in the pocket, moving the pressure members together and withdrawing the alignment rod to press the elements in the pocket into aligned assembled relationship.
 28. In a machine for assembling articles from elements thereof, the combination comprising a continuously moving carrier having pockets therein to receive the elements to be assembled, back-up means movable with each pocket, a frist cam member to position the back-up means with respect to the pockets, a plurality of drive rams on each side of said pockets movable with said pockets, and seCond and third cam members to advance the rams to press the elements into assembled relation between the back-up means and the drive rams.
 29. In a machine for assembling articles from elements thereof, the combination comprising a continuously moving carrier having pockets therein to receive the elements to be assembled, back-up means at one side of each pocket and movable with the pocket, a plurality of alignment rods movable with said pockets on said one side of said pockets, said alignment rods insertable through the back-up means to align the elements in the pockets, and drive rams movable with said pockets to press the elements in the pockets into assembled relation between the back-up means and the drive rams.
 30. An assembly machine comprising a carrier continuously rotatable about an axis during operation and having a plurality of peripheral pockets to receive the parts to be assembled, a plurality of alignment rods movably mounted on said carrier for at least some of said pockets, each rod continuously aligned with the same pocket, means to move said alignment rods into said pockets to align the parts therein, and means to force the aligned parts together in the pocket to form an assembled element.
 31. An assembly machine comprising a nest wheel continuously rotatable about an axis during rotation and having a plurality of peripheral pockets to receive the parts to be assembled, a plurality of alignment rods for at least some of said pockets, said alignment rods orbital about said axis and each continuously aligned with a particular pocket in the nest wheel, means to move said alignment rods sequentially into said pockets to align the parts therein, and means to force the aligned parts together in the pocket to form an assembled element.
 32. An assembly machine comprising a carrier continuously rotatable about an axis during operation and having a plurality of peripheral pockets to receive the parts to be assembled, a plurality of rams mounted on the carrier, a stationary cam engaged with the rams to actuate the rams as the carrier rotates, and a plurality of rods connected to each ram for insertion, respectively, into a plurality of pockets simultaneously.
 33. An assembly machine comprising a carrier continuously rotatable about an axis during operation and having a plurality of peripheral pockets to receive the parts to be assembled, a plurality of rams mounted on the carrier on each side of the pockets, a stationary cam on each side of the pockets to engage the rams and actuate the rams sequentially as the carrier rotates, a plurality of alignment rods connected to each ram on one side of the pockets for simultaneous insertion into the pockets as the ram to which the alignment rods are connected advances, and a plurality of pressure member rods connected to each ram on the other side of the pockets for simultaneous advance toward the pockets as the ram to which the pressure member rods are connected advances.
 34. An assembly machine comprising a carrier continuously rotatable about an axis during operation and having a plurality of peripheral pockets to receive the parts to be assembled, a plurality of back-up rams mounted on the carrier on one side of said pockets for movement into and out of said pockets, means including a first stationary cam to engage said back-up rams for positioning thereof, and means including a second stationary cam to apply a force to said back-up ram to transmit a force to the parts in the pocket during assembly thereof.
 35. An assembly machine comprising a carrier continuously rotatable about an axis during operation and having a plurality of peripheral pockets to receive the parts to be assembled, a plurality of back-up rams mounted on the carrier on one side of said pockets for movement into and out of said pockets, a plurality of alignment rods mounted on the carrier on said one side of said pockets for movement past the back-up rams and into and out of said pockets, means including a first stationary cam to enGage said back-up rams for positioning thereof, and means including a second stationary cam to support and advance said alignment rods and apply a force to said back-up rams. 